Rupandehi, December 18:

Maoist cadres are seeking the removal of civilian police posts reinstated in crime and smuggling-prone areas, a security source said today.

Among the reinstated checkposts in the Rupandehi district, Dhak Dhai and Ranyura police posts are based in areas where timber smuggling is rife, the security source said, adding that the Maoists had not objected to the re-establishment of police posts in Mangalapur and Bethari.

A few days ago, the Maoists had removed logistics out of the Dhak Dhai police post. The Rupandehi district police office said the police post had not been vacated.

Timber smuggling is rife in Parroha and Saljhandi. The Ranyura police post looks after these villages. The post is shut at night after Maoists reportedly told the officials to keep it open during daytime only.

However, Rupandehi district chief of the CPN (Maoist), Bamdev Chhetri, alleged that smuggling had thrived following the re-establishment of the police posts.